Interesting anecdotes about our family's past

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WWI participants

I think it about time I attempted a complete list of those Ivens (and associated spellings) involved in World War I. Because of the importance of this list, every effort has been made to acurately identify each person, but I recognise some transcription difficulties are apparent in the official records, especially in the transfers from one regiment to another, for example. Any errors are entirely mine.

Military records are notoriously incomplete, and it has been difficult to tie together the various remnants of source documents. Nevertheless, using precise AND inferred information within those references, together with information held within the Ivens database, it has been possible to pin down some of the individuals. But there are still many who remian unidentified.

So, if you have personal information on any individual I would be most pleased to hear it, however small the contribution.

In time, I would also like to find more accurate details of last resting places, so if you have specific information, again please let me know.

Finally, I am aware there are some who served with other regiments and services. My own great uncle, for example, HTC Ivens was with the 26th (later 2/15th) Punjab Regiment in India, and as a result, not listed in this initial attempt.

N.B. The Record number at the end of each entry is a reference to my personal database of all UK Ivens.

Citations

10530 L/Cpl. Charles Ivens 2nd Bn. Connaught Rangers. Conspicuous gallantry in charge of advanced post of nine men. 2nd November. He held his position and kept enemy in check all day. Of his party three were killed, himself and six men were wounded. (17/12/1914) [Rec 2413]

12411 Pte E. J. (Ernest John) Ivens (Shipston on Stour) Hampshire Regiment. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Throughout his long service in the field he has shown great gallantry under fire and complete disregard for personal safety. His energy, capacity for hard work, and unfailing cheefulness have proved him one of the best men in the battalion (21/10/1918) [Rec 869]

Discharged – Wounded

The Silver War Badge was awarded to all of those military personnel who had served at home or overseas during the war, and who had been discharged from the army under King’s Regulations. Expiry of a normal term of engagement did not count and the most commonly seen reason for discharge and issue of the badge is KR is 392(xvi), meaning the soldier had been released on account of being permanently physically unfit.

It was possible to be awarded a badge if the man had not served overseas – and if his service record is now lost this may be the only remaining evidence of service for such a soldier.

P. Ivans Private, Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Enlisted June 1909 and at the outbreak of war proceeded to France where he played a gallant part in the Battles of Mons, Ypres, La Basse, Neuve Chapelle, Hiil 60, Loos and Viny Ridge. He was severley wounded on the Somme in 1916 and was invalided home and discharged in October. He holds the Mons Star, and the General Service and Victory Medals.5 Park Grove, Spring Hill, Small Heath, Birmingham. [Rec ?]

David John Ivins 13050 (b.1896) Enlisted Tonypandy 20/8/1914. South Wales Borderers, 3rd, 1st Battallion. Awaiting trial for insubordination 2/1916. France 1915-1919. 5/1918 disobeying command while on active service:“I am not going to parade as a boy…I am not going to turn out on parade for you or f**k**g King Edward”. Discharged 1/1920. Baynet wound back of left thigh.[Rec 3525]

P. Ivans Enlisted June 1909 Royal Warwickshire Regiment. At the outbreak of war proceeded to France where he played a gallant part in the Battles of Mons, Ypres, La Bassee, Neuve Chapelle, Hill 60, Loos and Vimy Ridge. Severely wounded on the Somme in 1916, invalided and discharged in October 1916. Mons Star, General Service and Victory medals. Park Grove, Spring Vale, Miles Street, Small Heath, Birmingham (Possibly John Phillips Ivens b.1892 Ed.) [Rec 1688]